GATHLAND STATE PARK
Gathland State Park is a public recreation area located on South Mountain in Jefferson, Maryland. The park spans approximately 140 acres and was once the mountain home of George Alfred Townsend, a Civil War journalist who wrote under the pen name "Gath." His estate has been preserved within this scenic state park.
The main feature is the War Correspondents Arch, which stands as a tribute to journalists who covered the American Civil War. Dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904, it remains one of America's unique monuments honoring civilian war reporters. In addition to historical structures like Townsend's former residence and other ruins from his time period that dot its landscape.
Opened officially as a state park in 1963 after being donated by William Maloney (Townsend's brother-in-law), visitors can enjoy hiking along portions of both Appalachian Trail and South Mountain Battlefield Trail here for panoramic views or delve into history through interpretive exhibits at what used be "Gapland," an elaborate journalistic retreat created by Townsend himself during late nineteenth century.